The paper endorsed Newt Gingrich in November, and McQuaid has not changed allegiances. He and the editors still believe "Gingrich's record of conservative accomplishments is unparalleled and his beliefs and vision are passionate and clear."

McQuaid blasts Romney as having won "six fewer votes in Iowa" Tuesday than he did there four years ago. His editorial suggests Romney is a "squishy-moderate Republican," something Gingrich is hoping to portray the frontrunner as in the few remaining days before the primary.

Romney's campaign did not respond to a request for reaction to the Union Leader editorial.

When reached for comment, Romney's campaign pointed to a slate of other New Hampshire endorsements for the White House hopeful.

"We are happy to have the endorsement of the Nashua Telegraph, Fosters Daily Democrat, Portsmouth Herald, Conway Daily Sun, and the Weirs Times who all realize that Governor Romney is the best candidate to fix our economy and defeat President Obama," Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said.

Saul specifically pointed to an endorsement Thursday by the Nashua Telegraph, which wrote "Romney is the only GOP candidate with a proven record of success at the top levels of business and government to warrant serious consideration for the highest elective office in the land in these challenging times."

soundoff(28 Responses)

The Real Tom Paine

Truth and Nothing But the Truth: I don't suppose the fact that the operating costs for Medicare are considerably lower than private insurance companies would change your view that Medicare is basically bankrupt? Does it bother you that insurance companies consistently post double-digit profits even when the economy is bad, and yet people were unable to get insurance? Apparently not. Another flunky who sucks down the kool-aide that the government can't run anything. Well, FEMA during Katrina proved that argument, with the head of the Arabian Stallions Association running the thing: boy, W did a heckuva job with his pick there, right?

January 5, 2012 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |

Phil in KC

I guess the Union Leader just totally ignored all the polls saying that Romney is probably the strongest candidate the Republicans could put up against Obama. But, that's fine. If they want to tear down Romney, it just makes Obama's job easier in the fall. Either he goes up against a bloodied Romney or he goes up against someone who is less likely to garner votes from moderates and independents.

January 5, 2012 03:48 pm at 3:48 pm |

Rudy NYC

Truth somebody wrote:

"Privatize" is false. The federal government has STOLEN the "trust fund" and left IOUs from a nearly bankrupt government in their place.

Medicare is NOT SAFE,
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Sorry, Charlie. Privatize is the correct word. That is the term that GWB has used. Paul Ryan has used it. Republicans want to to send all of the capital in the fund to Wall Street. Period. It would be a disaster. Speaking of IOUs in the SSi fund, the legend Ronald Reagan funded his 50% tax cuts for the wealthy from the SSI fund. Claimed that it was "the people's money" and that he was "returning it to the people." That's when he first coined the phrase "trickle down" because critics pointed out that the middle class built the fund, but that he was giving it away to the wealthiest Americans.

Medicare isn't safe from Republicans, at all. Dismantling Medicare has been the long stated goal of Republicans. The problem with Medicare isn't the program itself, it is the skyrocketing cost of the actual health care. The cost of health care keep rising because it has to cover the cost of the uninsured, frivilous malpractice suits and outlandish awards, drug companies that overcharge, etc.

Like it or not, the biggest reason for the existence of both programs is greed in the private industry, and the lack of regulations strong enough to control greed.